Sony avoids PSP's mistake by encouraging fewer home console ports

The main draw of the PSP, the big promise that was meant to separate it from Nintendo's portables and pull users away from the underpowered Nintendo DS, was that Sony's handheld could deliver console-like experiences on the go.

PSP's console-quality experiences, though, weren't enough to propel the system to the same heights as its competitors in the West -- so why hasn't Sony adjusted its strategy for its new portable, in light of PSP's past difficulties and PS Vita's current struggles?

Sony's marketing VP for handhelds and consoles John Koller admits that PS Vita's message of "console-like games on portables" is essentially the same as PSP's, but argues that there was a significant problem with how developers approached that idea before.

"The issue that happened with PSP is we got overrun with ports," he explains to Gamasutra. "It became very difficult for us to define what made PSP unique. The content development became a bit unstructured or decentralized, in that we got a lot of content that was on PlayStation 2 and got thrown over to the handheld."

Koller believes Sony learned its lesson with that problem on PSP and is actively taking steps to avoid repeating that mistake on PS Vita. He says portable content "isn't something consumers play because they've left the living room. It's something that [needs to be] unique, and defines the Vita experience."

A lot of PS Vita's early catalog has so far been made up of console ports -- which may have contributed to the troubles Sony has faced with building momentum for the system so far -- but now the company is strongly recommending against and guiding publishers away from ports.

Koller points to a couple upcoming PS Vita exclusives that are unique interpretations of popular console franchises, and says that Sony tells publishers to "Follow what Ubisoft is doing with Assassin's Creed. Follow what Activision is doing with Call of Duty."

With that approach in mind, Koller says, "The messaging is similar [between PSP and PS Vita], but I think the output is going to be quite different."

Thanks to Kwes for the signature!
"As long as there are dreamers who have the courage to pursue their dreams, the world will have heroes. And as long as there is a thirst to discover the unknown, there will be new stories to tell...and new adventures to be had."

The Vita just needs more unique IPs to look forward to playing, like Tearaway. Assassin's Creed III: Liberation and Call of Duty: Black Ops: Declassified won't necessarily stop people from buying the home console counterparts.

Thanks to Kwes for the signature!
"As long as there are dreamers who have the courage to pursue their dreams, the world will have heroes. And as long as there is a thirst to discover the unknown, there will be new stories to tell...and new adventures to be had."

I don't know I guess I'm used to the Nintendo way of things. Their portable console always have games exclusive to that portable console. They do port on their systems however like with the 3ds it didn't start picking up steam till Mario 3d land and mario kart 7 two exclusives only found on the 3ds more recently KH and KI: uprising boosted sales as well they just release nsmb2 and have Paper Mario coming in november which I'm looking forward too. Vita needs soft that's exclusive to vita I've always felt that a portable console can not replicate a home console.

Indeed man. So many people nagging about the damn PSP lineup. I have one and I can say it had some of the best new IPs I've played, be that on a home or portable console, so the whole "PSP was all ports" is as much bull$#@! as it gets.

Seeing as it's piss easy for devs to port games over, I have NO issue with it getting ports especially if cross buy is implemented. The whole idea of taking your game with you is awesome. However, all things in balance, new IPs are Vitally important and necessary to give gamers a unique reason to buy and support the portable.

I also don't agree with "PSP was all ports" notion. It had a fine line up, as F34R and others have said.

Nothing wrong with port however vita needs to expand it target market. We already know sony is gonna provide great games for most gamers on these forums however they need to reach a broader group with causal games and exclusive IP's for the vita.

I feel sometime with sony they are just the stubborn old man that stays in his ways even if it hurts them lol

Sometimes ports are good. Rayman Origins is an example of a good port. Lego Batman 2 is a bad crappy $#@! port. The PSP always got the $#@! ports too.

Good ports along side with new games made specifically for the Vita is what it needs. There needs to be a reason for people to buy the Vita. It is pointless for the Vita to have the same games as everything else. Sony needs to make sure that if you want to play "THIS" game, you must own the Vita.

3ds is a good console i guess,it could be much better though!If i were 10 years younger(12) i would choose 3ds over Vita but this comparison is pointless!Tired of playing kiddie games!

I have it and its got amazing games as well. Hell, Resident Evil Mercenaries and Revelations are mature and freaking brilliant. Super Smash Bros and other games will make it even more awesome in the near future too. All 3DS needed was time so software could get there, and that's exactly what Vita needs. Give it a few more months and then we'll talk about this subject again!

If the ports are all crossplay/crossbuy promotions count me in.....some games like RPGs, Racers, and Sports titles set up for this...but exclusive content will be needed to really SELL the handheld. Sony will be responsible for pushing innovative games just as Nintendo does for their handheld. I look at developers like EA, Activision, Capcom, and Konami and I know we won't see anything innovative coming from them. They will push old IPs and HD releases....it will be up to Sony to push the platform forward and find smart innovative independent developers to set it apart.